Page 85 of The Mastermind

“What do you want to know?” He smirked.

“What does WaterFyre Rising mean? I know the video game is important to you, Grayson, and the other guys, but I don’t know the story behind it.”

“Like you, the riverfront celebration enthralled me. As a child, I was in awe of the fire on the river. The energy and wonder of it inspired me. The inspiration stopped when I was fifteen, but I found the spark again a few years later. I wanted to develop a world with endless possibilities. Water and fire are powerful elements of nature.”

I wanted to ask what made him stop, but I had a feeling whatever it was had a dark side. I didn’t want to ruin our intimate conversation where he was revealing a private aspect of himself. The other inquiries could wait until another day.

Remi grabbed his glass of water, stared at it, sipped, and placed it down. “Water is symbolic of life. We all need it to live. Fire is symbolic of destruction, resurrection, and renewal. I wanted to burn a portion of my life, so I could remake it my way. I suppose I liked the paradoxes of life. Water and fire are opposites, yet when you find that perfect chemistry, it creates a ‘fyre’ that is otherworldly. Magical. The ‘WaterFyre’isthe magic of the game. It’s the life force.”

The passion in his words was reflected in his eyes. I could sit all day listening to him talk about it. He continued describing the project, and I realized each guy had an important level they were responsible for. There was so much depth in the project. This game was his soul in the making. Did he know that?

Did the video game have the same effect on his friends? Probably various versions or they wouldn’t have dedicated so much time and effort to it. Regardless, Remi was the mastermind behind a game that was more than a pastime entertainment. He was remaking his life.

“I find it admirable that you never gave up on your dream.”

“You can’t give up what makes you feel alive.” His eyes bore into mine as though he was dropping a message into the well of my soul. Velvety flutters rippled through me.

I couldn’t take my eyes away from him. He had this magnetic pull that held me captive.

“I understand. I feel the same about my jewelry line. Though it’s my side job/hobby, it gives me joy in a way nothing else does.”

“I know.” He leaned closer. “I remember the spark in your eyes when you used to gather random things to make new designs. It was admirable, especially when no one wanted to wear those ‘odd’ pieces except me.”

My heart melted into a puddle at his understanding. He’d worn that god-awful necklace for me when no one else dared.

“You were brave.” I laughed. “I don’t know if I still have that photo. I’ll have to look for it.”

“I wasn’t brave. I just didn’t want to see you pout. I guess I was smitten with you back then.”

I didn’t know how to respond. The more time I spent with Remi, the more I saw the real man behind the hardened façade he portrayed to the world. He may have been consumed with the dark, but he wasn’t dark. The world saw him as cold and private, but he was warm and open with me. I felt privileged I got to see all of him.

“I’d like to see the video game when it’s done. I want to take a peek into your world.”

“Don’t worry, I need your input.”

My phone buzzed, and I glanced at the message. “My mom wants to remind us to bring an appetite. It’ll just be us and Uncle Derek, who will be there early to help her with some internet issues. She’ll still make an enormous pot of soup enough for ten people.”

“We could always take some home,” Remi added.

Remi’s phone rang, and he ignored it. Then it rang a second time.

“I’ll be right back.” Remi stepped outside since the place was becoming louder and more crowded.

I felt someone staring at me and turned to meet Slash’s eyes from behind the counter. He saluted me, came over, and sat down.

“You like Remi?” Slash asked, his expression different from before. “Youlovehim?” He tapped his chest.

I wouldn’t share my private thoughts with someone I’d only just met. It was impossible that Slash saw that thought swimming in my head. It was under lock and key—no one knew about it.

Was Slash acting like a big brother watching out for Remi?

I offered him a warm smile. “Are you being protective? There’s no need to be concerned. I assure you, I won’t hurt him.”

“Oh, amiga, I’m not worried about him. I’m worried aboutyou.” He gave me a nod and scooted out of the chair when Maria called for his help.

CHAPTERFORTY-TWO

REMINGTON